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A court official has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.